Flame hardening apparatus



Dec. l0, 19416. A HARTLEY 2,412,333

FLAME HARDENING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 27, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ALBERT LAARTLET ATTORNEY.

OGGI bH UL-'11 Dec. l0, 1946. A. L. HARTLEY FLAME HARDENING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 27, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVI NTOR. ALBERT L. HAR'TLET MIME -nonnl'cceororrvoonfon QQ M.

EWE x ATTORNEY.

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Dec. 10, 1946. A HARTLEY 2,412,333

FLAME HARDENING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 27, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. ALBERT L. HARTLET BY LMQ-AM ATTORNEY.

Dec. 10, 1946. A. HARTLEY FLAME HARDENING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2"?, 1942 e sheets-sheet e INVENTOR. ALBERT LAARTLEX ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 10, 1946 FLAME HARDENING APPARATUS Albert L. Hartley, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The R. K. Le Blond Machine Tool Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation ol' Delaware Application November 27, 1942, Serial No. 467,119

Claims. 1

This invention pertains to flame hardening apparatus and is particularly related to such apparatus adapted to the flame hardening of relatively long small diameter holes in work pieces. 'I'his invention is specifically adapted to such types of Work as hardening the tapered bores in spindles for lathes or the like.

In flame hardening a relatively long small diameter bore in a work piece certain specific problems come about which are not present when exterior surfaces of work are to be flame hardened. One of the most difficult problems involved in the hardening of a hole in a Work piece of this character is that of applying a suitable flame hardening torch in the bore so as to uniformly and rapidl he n internal n while at the same time proymgingnsuitable dischdf'g'mays in ttorgh tg gereinigtt free escal'cTf'-t.'l'i'"liiriied"gase"`M heatingcpcsrafft en the difficult problem of applying the quenching coolant to the work surface substantially instantly after the flame hardening torch has brought the surface to the proper temperature for quenching. This again necessitates the peculiar handling of the ame hardening apparatus in that the flame hardening torch must be rapidly withdrawn from the bore of the work piece andthe coolant discharging nozzle promptly inserted therein andcoolartkapplied tlllgdieatedsurfacasdato @Seminarraum quenchin l u l 'whgrgmlnmthgymrk All of these operations must be undertaken in a coordinated and accurately controlled manner so as to permit the proper functioning of the flame hardening process in the bore of the Work piece.

Further features and advantages of this invention will appear from the detailed description of the drawings in which:

Figure I is a side elevational View of the bore flame hardening apparatus shown applied to a typical lathe spindle shown in fragmentary section together with additional flame hardening torches applied to completely finish flame hardening the outside diameter at the same time the bore is being hardened.

Figure II is a transverse vertical section on the line II-II of Figure I particularly showing the roller reciprocating slide and actuating air cyllnder for alternately presenting the flame hardening torch or the coolant nozzle to the bore to be flame hardened.

Figure III is a front elevational view of the 2 flame hardening apparatus shown on the line III- III in Figure I.

Figure IV is a plan view of the flame hardening burner having a relatively long tapered extension portion for entrance into the bore of the work piece to be flame hardened.

Figure V is an end elevation of the flame hardening burner of Figure IV particularly showing the fluted portion to permit escape of the burned gases during the heating process and which also serves to provide access for the coolant nozzle when presented to the bore upon withdrawal of the flame hardening torch or burner of Figure IV.

Figure VI shows a side elevation of the burner of Figure IV.

Figure VII is a plan View of the coolant nozzle associated with the flame hardening burner which is inserted into the bore of the work piece being flame hardened while at the same time the burner is removed therefrom, so that coolant may be thoroughly distributed in the bore of the work piece without the formation of steam pockets or eddy currents which might otherwise be the case when cooling is undertaken in the presence of the flame hardening burner.

Figure VIII is an end view of the coolant nozzle showing its association with the flame hardening burner.

Figure IX is a side elevation of the coolant nozzle of Figure VII.

Figure X shows the relationship of the exterior flame hardening torches for simultaneously flame hardening the outside tapered portion of the work spindle While the bore is being flame hardened.

Figure XI is a view shown on the line XI-XI of Figure I, of the flame hardening torches surrounding the cylindrical portion of the work spindle for hardening the back portion of the clamping flange of the work spindle simultaneously with the hardening of the bore and exterior tapered surface thereof.

Figure XII is a side view of one of the arcuate flame hardening torches applied to flame hardening the rear portion of the clamping flange of the spindle.

Figure XIII is a section thru one of the flame hardening burners of Figure XI on the line XIII-XIII of said figure.

For exemplary purposes this invention is shown applied to a typical lathe spindle W having the usual relatively long small diameter taper bore I which is to be flame hardened so as to prevent damage and scoring of this bore with the insertion or withdrawal of Various lathe fixtures such as the centers, collets, etc. The apparatus com- 3 prises a main body portion 2 which is suitably mounted to a fixed frame 3 of a flame hardening machine (not shown) by appropriate bolts 4. In this frame 2 is slidably mounted a pair of reciprocating carriages 5 and 6 having rollers 1 operating in appropriate slots 8 formed in the frame 2. On the upper carriage 5 is fixed a bracket 9 to which is appropriately xed a piston rod I of a reciprocating gear cylinder Il appropriately mounted on the surface l2 of the frame 2 by bolts I3 so that reciprocation of the piston rod III through the medium of its piston (not shown) in the cylinder II eiects sliding reciprocation movement of the carriage back and forth with its rollers 1 operating in the slots 8 in the frame 2.

The lower carriage 6 is likewise reciprocated by the cylinder in opposite reciprocatory motion through the medium of a pinion I4 carried on an appropriate stud I5 and which engages a rack I6 on the carriage 5 and a rack I1 on the carriage 6 so that when the carriage 5 is moved to the right, for example, in Figure I the carriage 6 will similarly be moved to the left in this figure. Gear I4 carried on the shaft I5 may be withdrawn from operative position with the racks I6 and I1 or for re-engaging them in diierent relative positions to effect different relative positioning of carriage 5 with carriage 6, by means of the operating knob I8, Figure II, which is connected to this shaft I5 and which may move it axially to the right to disengage the gear I4 from the racks I6 and I1. Appropriate detent means I8 serves to position the shaft I5 either with gear I4 engaged with the racks I6 and I1 or disengaged therefrom. In the latter case this is desirable when it is not necessary to oppositely reciprocate the carriagel 5 with respect to the carriage 6 as in other types of flame hardening operations.

On a bracket xed to the cariage 5 by appropriate screws 2l are mounted the flame hardening torches 22 of conventional design to which is connected the special llame hardening burner 23 through suitable connections 24. This burner 23 is best shown in Figures IV, V, and VI and comprises a connecting portion 23a having the input line 25 through which enters the mixture of oxygen and acetylene which is conducted through the passageways 25 and 21 to the jet openings 28 as best shown in Figure V. Coolant watel` enters the portion 23a of the burner 23 through a passageway 28 and through the passageways 38 and 3| and discharging out the passageway 32 outside the bore of the workpiece being hardened. This coolant traversing these passageways is for the purpose of keeping the tapered portion 23h of the flame hardening burner 23 properly cooled during the operation. This coolant, however, is not used for quenching the work surface after it has been brought up to flame hardening temperature. The uted design of this burner comprises the grooved portions 33, 34, and 35 which serve the dual function of first permitting free escape of the burned gases issuing from the jet openings 28 and also serve as access openings by which the coolantnozzle arrangement of Figures VII, VDI, and IX may be readily entered into the bore of the work piece while at the same time permitting rapid withdrawal of the llame hardening burner from the bore after the Work piece has been brought to the proper flame hardening temperature.

This coolant nozzle arrangement is mounted on the lower carriage 6 by means of a bracket 36 connected to it by appropriate screws 31 and having mounted on it the mounting flange portions 38 and 39 of the coolant cylinder. In this par'- ticular arrangement this coolant nozzle comprises a series of three parallel water tubes 40, 4I, and 42, which respectively lie parallel to and in the respective fluted portions 33, 34, and 35 of the flame hardening burner 23 as best seen in Figures III and VIII. These tubes are connected by appropriate portions 43, to a manifold portion 39 having the-input passageway 44 by which quenching fluid may be applied to the tubes 40, 4I, and 42 which outlets 45 permit the fluid to spray rapidly and without eddy currents or steam pockets being formed upon the work surface having been previously heated by the burner 23.

Thus, referring to Figure I, the operation of this apparatus comprises rst presenting the burner 23 as shown in Figure I, igniting the oxyacetylene mixture coming in through the mixing arrangement and torches 22 and through the fittings 24 into the burner 2.3 and continuing the heating of the bore I of the work spindle W until it has arrived at its flame hardening temperature. Immediately upon arriving at this critical temperature the air cylinder and its piston rod I8 are operated to substantially instantly withdraw the burner 23 telescopically past the coolant nozzle comprising the tubes 40, 4I, and 42 which movement, through the medium of the gear I4 and associated racks I8 and I1, causes the nozzle to be immediately inserted into the bore upon full withdrawal of the flame hardening burner 23. Coolant is then instantly turned on through this nozzle to quench the bore of the Work piece to flame harden the work in a. completely automatic cycle. In this way the escaping gases, during the heating operation may be passed through the iluted portions 33, 34, and 35 of the ame hardening burner 23 and these areas may also be utilized to permit quick entrance of the coolant nozzle into the bore upon Withdrawal of the flame hardening burner 23 so that the coolant may be thoroughly distributed in the bore of the Work piece to quench it without interference and the creation of eddy currents or steam pockets which would otherwise occur where the flame hardening burner remains in position in the bore during the quenching operation. It is to be further understood, of course, that during both the heating and the quenching operations the Work piece W is rotated at an appropriate speed to effect the proper flame hardening of the bore I.

It is to be further noted that additional llame hardening burners 46 may also be carried on an appropriate bracket 41 fixed to the frame 2 to effect the flame hardening of the outer tapered surface 48 of the spindle W at the same time the bore portion is being hardened if such an arrangement be desired. In this instance four such torches 46 would be utilized as shown in Figure X, each with appropriate mixer tubes 43 connected to torches similar to that of the torch 22. In this case, however, since it is an external surface, the quenching water is caused to play upon the work from appropriate outlet jets 50 after the flame hardening surface has been completed by the jets 5I in the conventional fashion for such type of amehardening operation.

As may be also noted appropriate burners 52 as shown in Figures XI, XII, and )GII may be utilized to effect the hardening of the rear ange portion 53 of the work spindle W also carried on simultaneously with both the hardening of the bore and of the tapered portion 48 of the work "if #A 1. InV aw ame hardeninngwappagatuus, a longi- UWI UH spindle. This arrangement of the burners 52 are formed arcuately so their coniiguration ts around the work spindle W and the coolant water is applied after the work has been heated to flame hardening temperature by the torches through the medium of water jets in the torch or any other outside means for applying this coolant to the surface `53 after it has been appropriately heated.

Having thus fully set forth and described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

j'ectablentoma'mbore to be miiamgwhlarfd vl-\`dmimr 1 a am, .gclaat..nczzle.lgng" tudinally arrang'dsentatiouintosaidhqge Oisal pie'fayallmaintiaamsansior said'bier"and"iiivable mounting means for sa coo "'rzzl'mand common means for reciprocating said respective mounting means so as to alternately insert said burner or said nozzle into the bore of said work piece, said burner and nozzle being telescopically inter-related so that said coolant nozzle may be inserted into said bore of said work piece while said burner is being removed therefrom, said telescopic association of said burner and nozzle comprising longitudinally extending pasasgeways in said burner serving to provide escape for the burned gases when said burner is in operation in said bore and further serving to permit said cdolani nozzlmtn nto the bore of said workugiece whmihle said nozzle is being withdrainxfrtl'eirhm.u

---wzrrme-harceg apparatus for hardening an elongated small diameter bore in a work piece, an elongated flame hardening burner, an elongated coolant nozzle, a pair of 0ppositely reciprocatable slides for alternately or simultaneously presenting said burner and nozzle in the bore of said work piece, rack and pinion means for reciprocating said slides, means for disengaging said rack and pinion means for independent movement of said slides, and longitudinally extending passageways formed on the exterior of said burner for the escape of burned gases during the operation of said burner in said bore and to allow simultaneous insertion of said nozzle and burner in said bore.

3. In a iiame hardening apparatus, a longitudinally extending flame hardening burner mounted on a slide for movement into a bore to be flame hardened in a work piece, a quenching coolant nozzle mounted on another slide for presentation into said bore, common rack and pinion actuating means for oppositely reciprocating said slides, longitudinally extending grooves formed in said burner to facilitate disposal of burned gases during the operation of said burner and to at the same time provide passageways for the insertion of said nozzle in said bore during the presence of said burner therein, and means for disengaging said common rack and pinion driving means to allow independent movement of said slides.

4. In a llame hardening apparatus, a main body portion, a pair of slides mounted on said body portion, a iiame hardening burner mounted on one of said slides, a quenching coolant nozzle mounted on the other of said slides, disengageable rack and pinion means for simultaneously oppositely reciprocating said slides or to allow independent movement of said slides, passageways formed on said burner to allow escape of burned gases during the operation of said burner in the bore of said work piece, said passageways being arranged to allow said coolant nozzle to be disposed circumferentially about said burner within the confines of the bore of said work piece so that said burner and nozzle may be alternately or simultaneously inserted in said bore by axial movement of said burner and nozzle by said slides.

5. In a ame hardening apparatus, the combination of a main body portion, a pair of slides reciprocatably mounted on said body portion, rack and pinion means for oppositely reciprocating said slides, means for disconnecting said rack and pinion mechanism for independent movement of said slides, a flame hardening burner mounted on one of said slides, a quenching coolant nozzle mounted on the other of said slides, in telescopic relationship with said burner, and passageways formed in said burner extending longitudinally thereof and axially of the bore to be flame hardened in the work piece, said passageways serving to both facilitate disposal of burned gases during the operation of said burner and to allow the simultaneous or independent insertion of said burner and nozzle in said bore of the Work piece.

ALBERT L. HARTLEY. 

